Pai gow poker strategy: Card Sorting

Pai gow poker strategy: Card Sorting

If you don't use strategy when playing and play at random, the casino advantage is about 2.84 percent.

That's more than European roulette (2.70 percent), which is known to be a game of chance.

Unlike roulette, here you can use a strategy to avoid stupid mistakes.

When using an optimal strategy, the casino advantage drops significantly to 2.54 percent.

And do you know which is the best part? The strategy for Pai gow poker is relatively simple. It's all about how you sort out your hands.

When you don't have a pair

You won't fall for a pair 16 percent of the time. It rarely happens, but it does happen.

Then playing your second and third strongest card in the small hand is your best option.

When you have a pair

When you have a pair (41.6 percent of the time) - use it in your big hand. Then choose the two best cards for the little hand.

For example, let's say you have an ace of spades, an ace of clubs, a king of diamonds, 10 of diamonds, 6 of hearts, 5 of hearts and 2 of hearts. In this case, it's a good idea to have a king of diamonds and 10 of diamonds in your small hand, and use the pair of ace clubs and ace spades, along with 6 of hearts, 5 of hearts, and 2 of hearts in the big hand.

When you have two pairs

In 23 percent of the time, you will have two pairs of the seven cards in your hand.

In accordance with the optimal strategy for the game, you need to see what your best little hand can be if you play both pairs in the big one.

If your highest pair is jacks or 10s and you have an ace in your hand, then the small hand should be an ace and the next high card, and keep both pairs in the big hand.

If your highest pair is of 9s or smaller cards - keep them in the big hand only if you have an ace or a king for the small one. Otherwise, split the two pairs one in each hand.

When you have three pairs

Since seven cards are dealt, it is quite possible that you can have three pairs.

When this happens, play the highest pair in the small hand and leave the other two in the big hand.

When you have a straight

It is logical when you have a straight to keep it in the big hand.

If the straight consists of six or seven consecutive cards, make sure you use the two highest in the small hand. Without interrupting the straight, of course.

The same goes for straight flush.

When you have a flush

Things are the same as with straight.

Hold the flush in the big hand and, if you can (more cards), separate the top two for the small hand.

When you have a full house

Also here, things are easy. The full house is three of a kind and a pair.

Accordingly, you should make your hands as follows: The three cards of one kind in the big hand and the pair in the small one.

When you have three cards of one kind

If you get three aces, use a pair of aces for the big hand and one ace as a high card for the small hand.

You can play all three aces in the big hand if you have high enough cards for the small one.

You have probably already noticed the trend and how this optimal strategy is developing.

We continue with three cards of the same kind with one pair, two pairs or two times three identical cards

In this case, the strategy is that the pair must always be played in the small hand and the three identical cards must remain in the big hand. If there are two pairs - the higher in the small hand, the other together with the three cards - in the big one. If you have twice three cards of the same type - make a high pair for the small hand, leave the rest in the big one.

When you have four of a kind

The chance of having four of a kind in your hand is 0.2 percent, but you still have it. So let's look at this scenario as well.

Never separate four identical 2s, 3s or 4s. But you can split 5s if you don't have a ten for a high card or better cards for a small hand.

In the same way, you split 6s if you don't have a queen for a high card or better cards for a small hand.

Four 7s or 8s are split only if you don't have a high card king or better cards for your little hand.

Divide 9s, 10s and jacks only if you do not have an ace for a high card or better cards for a small hand.

Queens, kings and aces are always separated.

The only case in which you deviate from the strategy is if you have four of a kind and pair. Then use the pair for the small hand and do not split the four cards.

When you have five aces (four aces and a joker)

Unless the aces are accompanied by a pair of kings, divide them into three of a kind in the big hand and leave a pair of aces for the small one.

Aces do not split only if you have a pair of kings for the little hand.

By following this Pai gow game strategy, you will maximize your chances of winning with both the small and the big hand.

You will still need extra practice and of course - luck, but a good strategy is half the game.

Recommended Online Casinos Pai Gow Poker available in your country: